AP History-The Revolutionary War 1 of 2
In the time of the late war, being desirous to defend secure, and promote the Rights and Liberties of the people, we spared no pains but freely granted
all the aid and assistance of every kind that our civil fathers (political leaders) required of us.
We are sensible also that a great debt is justly brought upon us by the War, and we are as willing to pay our share towards it as we are to enjoy our
shares in independency
"But with the greatest submission we beg leave to inform your Honors that unless something takes place more favorable to the people, in a little time at
least one half of our inhabitants in our opinion will become bankrupt... When we compute the taxes laid upon us the five preceding years, the State
and County, town, and class taxes, the amount is equal to what our farms will rent for. Sirs in this situation, what have we to live on: No money to be had;
our estates daily posted and sold. Surely your Honors are no strangers to the distresses of the people but do know that many of our good inhabitants
are now confined in jail for debt and for taxes. Will not the people in the neighboring states say of this state: although the Massachusetts [people]
boast of their fine Constitution, their government is such that it devours their inhabitants?
If your Honors find anything above mentioned worthy of notice, we earnestly pray that. [the state legislature] would point out some way whereby
the people might be relieved."
Petition from the town of Greenwich to the Massachusetts state legislature, 1786
The concern in the petition about the effect of taxation is best understood in continuity with which of the following earlier developments?
The development of opposition to the United States Constitution
The passage of gradual emancipation laws in some northern states
The revolt against British imperial control of the North American colonies
The increased competition between the British and French in North America
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